Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa

South Africa: Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions was 25.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
25.3%
Change on year
down 4.2%
World rank
3rd
of 25 countries
All-time high
26.4%
in 2020
All-time low
14.4%
in 2005
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa, 2005–2021

01020302005201320212005: 14.4 preT2010: 17.9 preT2014: 16.6 preT2016: 24.5 preT2018: 16.6 preT2019: 25.8 preT2020: 26.4 preT2021: 25.3 preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in preT.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 25.3% for coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions in 2021.

That represents a change of down 4.2% on the previous year and up 40.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa peaked at 26.4% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 14.4%, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 3rd of 25 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year preT Change
2005 14.4%
2010 17.9% +24.4%
2014 16.6% -7.2%
2016 24.5% +47.3%
2018 16.6% -32.5%
2019 25.8% +55.7%
2020 26.4% +2.3%
2021 25.3% -4.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 14.4% 14.4% 14.4% 1
2010s 20.3% 16.6% 25.8% 5
2020s 25.8% 25.3% 26.4% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Georgia 45.3% compare
  2. 2 Thailand 40.5% compare
  3. 4 Bolivia 20.3% compare
  4. 5 Mexico 17.4% compare
  5. 6 Chile 14.9% compare

See the full ranking of 25 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa?
Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions in South Africa was 25.3% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 26.4% in 2020.
What is the lowest coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 14.4% in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2021.
Is coverage in 4th quintile (%) - social pensions rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 40.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/coverage-in-4th-quintile-percent-social-pensions-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Coverage in 4th quintile (%) - Social Pensions (preT)
Unit
preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
25 places, 222 data points, 2004–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage of population participating in Social Pensions programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)